Daschle Urges Balance in Fiscal Stimulus Bill

With the House expected this week to debate a $99.5-billion stimulus package dominated by Republican-proposed tax cuts, the Senate’s Democratic leader said Saturday that legislation to revive the economy should reflect the views of both parties.

The assertion by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) underscores tensions developing in Washington over the response to an economic slowdown as Congress and President Bush are seeking bipartisan unity.

“It is essential that both parties resist the temptation to use the economic package as a vehicle for other agendas,” Daschle said in the weekly Democratic Party radio address.

“We must not use the tragedy of Sept. 11 to push through favored causes, no matter how passionately we feel about them, if they won’t provide an immediate boost to our economy.”

Daschle urged Congress to follow four broad principles:

* Make the measures temporary (ending after one year if possible);

* Get money immediately into the economy;

* Try not to drive the long-term budget into the red;

* Balance tax cuts with new government spending.

Daschle also urged help for those laid off after the terrorist attacks. Granting them and other low- and middle-income workers extended unemployment and health-care benefits and payroll tax rebates would give the economy a quick jolt, Daschle said.

He said a stimulus bill costing about $50 billion “makes sense” but acknowledged that Bush has been pushing for as much as $75 billion. “Clearly, there’s plenty of room for a principled compromise,” he said.

That Daschle gave the address was itself notable, underlining the issue’s importance. Party leaders usually dole out their weekly radio time to other Democratic lawmakers or governors whom they want to spotlight.

Leaders of the GOP-controlled House have said they expect to bring to the floor on Thursday a stimulus bill that cleared the House Ways and Means Committee last week.